©Finlay Bourke
The Edinburgh Fringe is almost upon us for another year, and one of the most hotly anticipated shows for 2026 is The Jolly Fisherman, a new play by John Dinneen starring Alex Hill and Jonny Khan. It’s about two childhood best friends, Alan and Amir, and how their worlds try to pull them apart as they get older. Alex, of course, had huge personal success recently with Why I Stuck a Flare up my Arse for England. In between rehearsals, I was lucky to get a few minutes with Alex to ask him some questions about his new show – and life as an actor. Hope you enjoy our chat!
Real Chris Sparkle: Hi Alex, great to have the opportunity to ask you some questions! First, I must ask you about Why I Stuck a Flare… Three years ago, you brought Billy’s story to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time – could you ever have imagined it would become the success that it did?
Alex Hill
Alex Hill: Thank you Chris for the thoughtful questions! Yeah, those three years have flown by. That first Edinburgh was such a scary period of time for me. The show was on at half 10 at night (not a traditional theatre slot), it had a ridiculous title, and it was the first thing I’d ever done out of drama school. It was a bit of a lottery really, in many ways I had so much to lose but also, it was kind of a free hit. Thankfully people responded positively and I was lucky enough to keep getting asked to do it. But no, when I started that play, it was just about getting to the end of that initial Fringe! What came next was a bit of a dream really.
RCS: You’re playing Alan in The Jolly Fisherman – what was it about the role that attracted you? Are there similarities to Billy?
AH: I was ready for a year off the Fringe after doing it for three years. But then John Dinneen put this amazing script in front of me and I knew instantly that I wanted to do it. It has all the makings of a brilliant play and whilst it has similarities to the work I’ve done previously, it feels fresh and like a totally new challenge. Alan and Billy are similar in that they are both young men trying to put their best foot forward in an ever-changing world, but their journeys and personalities are totally different. I think it’s cool to see a character like Alan on stage, who feels completely realistic and like someone you’d definitely meet down the pub.
©Finlay Bourke
RCS: Theatre has the power to change the way people think. Is Alan going to change our thoughts and preconceptions – and can you sense it as an actor when an audience is confronted with uncomfortable truths?
AH: I mean, I hope so! The play is full of conflict and definitely challenges Alan and Amir’s world views. I’m hoping that by watching these two young men on stage trying to figure it all out, people will also be able to confront and challenge some of their own opinions and ideas.
RCS: Taking you back to your early days, was there a moment as a teenager, or as a child, when you knew you wanted to become an actor? And if you weren’t an actor, what would you like to be?
AH: I had an amazing drama teacher at school that made me believe it could be a possibility. Although, I don’t think I was brave enough to admit that I wanted to give it a go until I was forced to make a decision of what I wanted to do next. All my mates were finalising their UCAS applications and I sheepishly walked into her office and said I think I wanted to give drama school a go. There was never any pressure from her, but she laughed as if to say ‘you took your time!’ I’d missed the application windows so I took a year out and went for it the following year but I’m so glad I did.
RCS: You’re coming back to Edinburgh again for the Fringe – what are you looking forward to on your return to the city? Will you have time to see other shows, or do some exploring?
AH: Yeah definitely! Because we have an early slot at 12:45, it means we’ll have the rest of the day for exploring and seeing shows. As always, lots of amazing artists are up there. Just some of the shows I’m looking forward to seeing are ‘You and Me (and Whoever Come’s Next)’ at Summerhall, Philip Stokes’ new play ‘This is Not America’ at Pleasance and ‘An Ode to the Casting Director’ by Sophie Fisher at Gilded Balloon.
RCS: And after the Fringe, what’s next for Alex?
AH: Nothing in the diary at the moment… hopefully something though!
RCS: Thanks for giving me your time Alex and I wish you all the best for this year’s Fringe!
AH: Thanks Chris!
The Jolly Fisherman plays at the Buttercup venue at Edinburgh’s Underbelly George Square from 5th to 31st August (except 17th) Some dates are already sold out so don’t hesitate to book via Underbelly or at the Edinburgh Fringe website here.